By Dan Walsh and Danny Weidler
Laurie Daley’s almost 40-year association with Craig Bellamy and a pitch that successfully enticed the Storm coach to return to the Origin arena after a decade of fruitless NSWRL approaches has played a significant role in Daley’s own comeback as NSW Blues coach.
Daley’s second coming as NSW coach, on a two-year deal, was announced on Monday, with Bellamy attached as chief advisor and selector alongside several coaches retained from Michael Maguire’s Blues set-up.
Such has been Bellamy’s reluctance to put himself at the Origin coalface again since losing three straight series as coach from 2008-10, Daley assumed his old Canberra Raiders teammate would knock back his suggestion of a Blues advisory role when he first approached him several weeks ago.
But after multiple calls and a favourable NRL draw that delivered the Storm byes around the Origin period, Bellamy agreed to link with Daley’s staff late last week.
Daley did not mention the coaching great’s potential involvement while being interviewed by the NSWRL board until Bellamy was a confirmed starter, because, as he told the 67-year-old “I didn’t want to use you [to sell myself].”
NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden insisted Daley’s previous Origin stint from 2013 to 2017 – when he won one series and six games from 15 clashes with a Queensland side ranking among the greatest ever assembled – does not get the credit it deserved.
Craig Bellamy (left), Laurie Daley (centre) and Andrew Johns (right) in NSW Origin camp in 2010.Credit: Andy Zakeli
And that once Bellamy’s involvement was confirmed after years of knocking back the NSWRL, Daley’s appointment on a two-year deal was sealed on Sunday evening.
“Loz brings such experience and credibility to our organisation and his coaching record is underestimated, he didn’t get the credit he deserved for the series he won in 2014,” Trodden told this masthead. “It was an outstanding coaching achievement. And as a man, Laurie is without peer.
“Then add to all of that the coaching group he’s been able to add around him – in particular having Craig as an advisor – what you finish up with is an absolutely compelling case for him to coach NSW.
“I think Craig’s involvement reflects on Loz’s status in the game. When he says, ‘Yes, I want to be sitting alongside you’, that answers the question: ‘Why Loz?’
Laurie Daley fronts up to the media as NSW Origin coach once again.Credit: Louie Douvis
“We’ve had a number of chats with Craig going back a number of years, including when Laurie was the coach in the previous iteration. Craig is a passionate NSW man, but I don’t think you can assume that Craig would’ve said yes to anyone. It came about because of Loz’s personal relationship with Craig.”
On the day Roosters NRLW coach John Strange was also unveiled as NSW Women’s Origin coach on a two-year deal, Trodden said Daley’s contract does not contain any clauses or extension triggers.
There is no set term length to Bellamy’s involvement, nor was it a condition of Daley’s appointment.
Daley will visit Melbourne during the season to spend time in the coach’s box with Bellamy, while the Storm coach’s right-hand man Frank Ponissi and former Melbourne premiership-winner Brett White have been retained on the Blues coaching staff. Roosters assistant Matt King, also short-listed and interviewed as Maguire’s replacement, has been offered a senior assistant role.
Daley will continue to host The Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio with NRL approval, but will take a hiatus from mid-May for the duration of the Origin series.
John Strange (left) and Laurie Daley are at the Origin helm for NSW.Credit: Loui Douvis
The NRL has told Daley he will no longer be able to act as a spokesman for the TAB on The Late Show with Matty Johns on Fox Sports given his role was to spruik betting odds on the program.
Daley believes he returns to Origin as a better coach and did not see a major issue with the fact game-play has changed markedly during his eight-year absence from the interstate arena, most significantly with the six-again rule’s introduction.
As one of the state’s greatest ever players, with 23 Origin appearances between 1989 and 1999, Daley said an initial invitation to join Brad Fittler’s proposed staff, and then Maguire’s moves to also bring him back into Blues camp, had rekindled his coaching ambitions.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind to get back into it,” Daley said. “It was only back in 2023 when Freddy was negotiating [a coaching extension] that he asked me to come back and help. I’d started to get excited, the flame was there. Madge got the job and got me in a couple of times, and you miss it.
“I love NSW, I love coaching, and this suits me perfectly … I’d like to think I’m a better coach and I’ve learnt a lot.”
Daley said he “will be all over [Maguire] like a cheap suit” for advice after the new Broncos coach inflicted Queensland’s first series loss under Billy Slater last year.
Bellamy’s involvement against the ex-Storm fullback adds another intriguing subplot to next year’s series, though Daley initially thought he would be rebuffed just as the NSWRL had been previously.
NSW broke Queensland’s two-series winning streak under Michael Maguire last year.Credit: NRL Photos
“When you want to try and create excellence, you go to the best,” Daley said. “All [Bellamy] can do is say no. He asked to give him a week, and he told me late last week he was in.
“I didn’t really have to put the sell on him. I was looking for someone to help me, and I thought he would be the best person possible to do that.
“Craig will help the coaches, and he’ll also be a part of the group. I’m excited to have him involved, and if I’m excited then I think the players will be excited to work with someone like Craig.”
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